Stacking means for products

Abstract

Disclosed is a stacking element for shipping or storing, in which products are stored in stacked layers, each layer including a batch of products, the stacking unit including a plurality of trays one above the other, the sizes of the trays being compatible with the dimensions of a standard shipping pallet. Each tray has a rectangular base on which products can stand, as well as side walls, extending from the perimeter of the base and perpendicular to it, and at least one wall works as a door which can be opened for allowing side introduction of the products in the tray, or closed. Also disclosed is a corresponding tray.

1 . Stacking means ( 1 ) for shipping or storing, in which products ( 2 ) are stored in stacked layers, each layer comprising a batch of products ( 2 ), said stacking means ( 1 ) comprising a plurality of trays ( 3 ) one above the other, the sizes of said trays ( 3 ) being compatible with the dimensions of a standard shipping pallet ( 4 ),
 wherein each tray ( 3 ) has a rectangular base ( 5 ) on which products ( 2 ) can stand, as well as side walls ( 6 ), extending from the perimeter of said base ( 5 ) and perpendicular to it, and at least one wall ( 6 ) works as a door ( 7 ) which can be opened for allowing side introduction of the products ( 2 ) in the tray ( 3 ), or closed.   
     
     
         2 . Stacking means ( 1 ) according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the at least one door ( 7 ) is hinged as a flap and rotates to an axis.   
     
     
         3 . Stacking means ( 1 ) according to  claim 1  wherein
 the door ( 7 ) is detachable and can be separated from the rest of the tray ( 3 ). 
 
     
     
         4 . Stacking means ( 1 ) according to  claim 1 , wherein
 each tray ( 3 ) further comprises a locking means for locking the at least one door ( 7 ) in a closed position.   
     
     
         5 . Stacking means ( 1 ) according to  claim 4 , wherein
 the locking means is arranged on the door ( 7 ) itself, the tray ( 3 ) being such that the products ( 2 ), once loaded in said tray ( 3 ), maintain the door ( 7 ) in a closed position.   
     
     
         6 . Stacking means ( 1 ) according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the tray ( 3 ) is provided with position means ( 8 ), for positioning two directly stacked trays ( 3 ) with respect to each other, said position means ( 8 ) comprising a top portion, located at the top of the tray ( 3 ), and a bottom portion, located at the bottom of the tray ( 3 ), the top portion of the position means ( 8 ) of a first tray ( 3 ) being able to cooperate with the bottom portion of the position means ( 8 ) of a second tray ( 3 ) resting on said first tray ( 3 ).   
     
     
         7 . Stacking means ( 1 ) according to  claim 6 , wherein
 it further comprises a bottom pallet ( 4 ) on which the stack of trays ( 3 ) rests and which is able to cooperate with the bottom portion of the position means ( 8 ) of the first tray ( 3 ) of said stack.   
     
     
         8 . Stacking means ( 1 ) according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the tray ( 3 ) has ribs ( 9 ) located at the outer side of two facing walls ( 6 ), for receiving a strap ( 10 ) surrounding the stack of trays ( 3 ).   
     
     
         9 . Stacking means ( 1 ) according to  claim 1 , wherein,
 the tray ( 3 ) comprises products ( 2 ) standing on its base ( 5 ), and the walls ( 6 ) are such that the above tray ( 3 ) rests on the products ( 2 ).   
     
     
         10 . Stacking means ( 1 ) according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the tray ( 3 ) has a unique identification means.   
     
     
         11 . Tray ( 3 ) for a stacking means ( 1 ) according to  claim 1 . 
     
     
         12 . Stacking means ( 1 ) according to  claim 2 , wherein
 each tray ( 3 ) further comprises a locking means for locking the at least one door ( 7 ) in a closed position.   
     
     
         13 . Stacking means ( 1 ) according to  claim 3 , wherein
 each tray ( 3 ) further comprises a locking means for locking the at least one door ( 7 ) in a closed position.   
     
     
         14 . Stacking means ( 1 ) according to  claim 2 , wherein
 the tray ( 3 ) is provided with position means ( 8 ), for positioning two directly stacked trays ( 3 ) with respect to each other, said position means ( 8 ) comprising a top portion, located at the top of the tray ( 3 ), and a bottom portion, located at the bottom of the tray ( 3 ), the top portion of the position means ( 8 ) of a first tray ( 3 ) being able to cooperate with the bottom portion of the position means ( 8 ) of a second tray ( 3 ) resting on said first tray ( 3 ).   
     
     
         15 . Stacking means ( 1 ) according to  claim 3 , wherein
 the tray ( 3 ) is provided with position means ( 8 ), for positioning two directly stacked trays ( 3 ) with respect to each other, said position means ( 8 ) comprising a top portion, located at the top of the tray ( 3 ), and a bottom portion, located at the bottom of the tray ( 3 ), the top portion of the position means ( 8 ) of a first tray ( 3 ) being able to cooperate with the bottom portion of the position means ( 8 ) of a second tray ( 3 ) resting on said first tray ( 3 ).   
     
     
         16 . Stacking means ( 1 ) according to  claim 4 , wherein
 the tray ( 3 ) is provided with position means ( 8 ), for positioning two directly stacked trays ( 3 ) with respect to each other, said position means ( 8 ) comprising a top portion, located at the top of the tray ( 3 ), and a bottom portion, located at the bottom of the tray ( 3 ), the top portion of the position means ( 8 ) of a first tray ( 3 ) being able to cooperate with the bottom portion of the position means ( 8 ) of a second tray ( 3 ) resting on said first tray ( 3 ).   
     
     
         17 . Stacking means ( 1 ) according to  claim 5 , wherein
 the tray ( 3 ) is provided with position means ( 8 ), for positioning two directly stacked trays ( 3 ) with respect to each other, said position means ( 8 ) comprising a top portion, located at the top of the tray ( 3 ), and a bottom portion, located at the bottom of the tray ( 3 ), the top portion of the position means ( 8 ) of a first tray ( 3 ) being able to cooperate with the bottom portion of the position means ( 8 ) of a second tray ( 3 ) resting on said first tray ( 3 ).   
     
     
         18 . Stacking means ( 1 ) according to  claim 2 , wherein
 the tray ( 3 ) has ribs ( 9 ) located at the outer side of two facing walls ( 6 ), for receiving a strap ( 10 ) surrounding the stack of trays ( 3 ).   
     
     
         19 . Stacking means ( 1 ) according to  claim 3 , wherein
 the tray ( 3 ) has ribs ( 9 ) located at the outer side of two facing walls ( 6 ), for receiving a strap ( 10 ) surrounding the stack of trays ( 3 ).   
     
     
         20 . Stacking means ( 1 ) according to  claim 4 , wherein
 the tray ( 3 ) has ribs ( 9 ) located at the outer side of two facing walls ( 6 ), for receiving a strap ( 10 ) surrounding the stack of trays ( 3 ).